CN101078157A

CN101078157A - Top-loading machine for washing and/or drying laundry

Info

Publication number: CN101078157A
Application number: CNA200710087995XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·马奇托
Original assignee: Searle's Co - Yar
Current assignee: Searle's Co - Yar
Priority date: 2006-02-09
Filing date: 2007-02-09
Publication date: 2007-11-28
Also published as: EP1818439A2; ITTO20060091A1

Abstract

A top-loading machine for washing and/or drying laundry (1) comprises a drum (20) for containing the laundry and a washtub (11) inside which the drum (20) is able to rotate about a respective axis (A). The drum (20) can be displaced between a lowered position, for operation of the machine, and a raised position, for loading/unloading of the laundry. The drum (20) is mounted slidably on a respective frame (22) that is able to rotate in the washtub (11) about the aforesaid axis (A). The machine further comprises switchable locking means (31; 20c, 24a), provided for maintaining the drum (20) in a fixed position with respect to the frame (22) or else enabling displacement between the lowered position and said raised position.

Description

Be used to wash and/or the machine that loads at the top of drying clothes

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind ofly be used to wash and/or machine is loaded at the top of drying clothes.

Background technology

The machine of the above-mentioned type generally includes casing, wherein is supported with washtub.The cylinder that is used for accommodating laundry is installed in washtub, described cylinder can be around the motion of corresponding rotating shaft, and described axle is level normally.Washtub has towards the open top of roll circumference face, and corresponding hatch is arranged in the described open top.Casing comprises corresponding top doors in turn, and it can lead to the washing machine opening, and further leads to the hatch door of cylinder.In order to carry out the loading and unloading operation of clothing, cylinder is arranged on the position of certain angle so that its hatch door is positioned at and the corresponding position of washtub open top.

Their overall dimensions reduced during the top special usefulness of loading machine of the above-mentioned type was to operate.Especially, the load/unload of clothing operation can be carried out from the top of casing, and this makes the installation of machine itself have flexibility, and---generally speaking---any side of casing can lean against on every side on the wall and lean against furniture parts setting on convention.Forwardly load in washing and/or the dryer, that is, casing be provided be used for making clothing introduce cylinder before that class washing machine of department, can not realize above-mentioned possibility.

But, to load in the machine at the top, the operation of cylinder load/unload clothing is more difficult than the situation of front loading machine.In order to limit described defective, undertaken attempting being used to increase the size of casing top passageway, thereby be convenient to enter in the opening and cylinder of washtub by some solution.Carried out attempting so that on the top of casing, give possibility more economical structure by other solution.But the solution of described compromise does not demonstrate very satisfied effect.Therefore, also need to make and effectively be used to wash and/or machine is loaded at the top of drying clothes, the wherein operation of clothing load/unload and facility are especially from the angle of ergonomics.

Summary of the invention

Main purpose of the present invention is to satisfy the demand.According to the present invention, by have the Realization by Machine above-mentioned purpose of the feature of reaffirming in claim subsequently, described claim has constituted the integral part in the technology instruction relevant with invention of this proposition.

In final result, the present invention relates generally to a solution, wherein, though cylinder is restricted with respect to washtub, it is mounted to and can and be used at the down position that is used for machine works optionally moving between the raised position of clothing load/unload.For described purpose, described machine preferably is provided with the framework of back-up roller, described framework can be around corresponding rotating shaft rotation in washtub, and cylinder can optionally move between above-mentioned down position and raised position with the direction horizontal substantially with respect to above-mentioned axis on the framework.

In addition, useful is to be provided with locking device, and it can switch in working order and between the off working state.In working order, locking device remains on position with respect to frame fixation with cylinder, and cylinder and framework rotate together during machine works thus.Yet, under the off working state of locking device, can allow cylinder between above-mentioned down position and described raised position, moving on the framework, so that the facility of clothing load/unload operation is provided.

In being considered to embodiment preferred, said frame comprises at least one vertical member towards an end face of cylinder, and described vertical member is retrained by cylinder by connecting elements slidably.Framework preferably also comprises cross member, and it is in the face of the periphery of cylinder.

Description of drawings

With reference to appended accompanying drawing, further aim of the present invention, feature and advantage will be in clear presenting in the description of the invention subsequently, and this is described all-pass and crosses exemplary and non-restrictive example and proposing, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is used to according to the present invention to wash and/or the perspective view of machine is loaded at the top of drying clothes;

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the machine of Fig. 1, and wherein corresponding cabinet is partly analysed and observe, and has removed some internals, and the corresponding cylinder that is used for clothing is positioned at raised position;

Fig. 3 is the perspective view according to the laundry drum of machine of the present invention, and wherein corresponding support frame is positioned at first state;

Fig. 4 is the perspective view according to the laundry drum of machine of the present invention, and wherein corresponding support frame is positioned at second state; With

Fig. 5 is the vertical view of the machine of Fig. 1.

The specific embodiment

Specifically with reference to Fig. 1,2 and 5, Reference numeral 1 expression according to instruction manufacturing of the present invention be used to wash and/or integral body that machine is loaded at the top of drying clothes.Suppose that in the situation of example, machine 1 is the type that is designed to only carry out clothes washing, although the present invention also can be applicable to so-called washing-drying machine and drying machine.

Described machine comprises casing or the supporting construction of being represented by Reference numeral 2 as a whole, described structure is included in the vertical view basic the be base 3 of rectangle and the top bodies represented by Reference numeral 4, in the example that is provided, top bodies has the shape of basic framework, and it is provided with the respective through hole of being represented by Reference numeral 4b.What can notice is that top bodies 4 also has the shape of basic rectangle in vertical view.Sidepiece closure plate and base 3 and top bodies 4 are fixing, and two sidepiece closure plate are by Reference numeral 6 expressions in Fig. 1, and it forms the vertical walls of machine casing.

The top doors of Reference numeral 8 expression machines 1.In the situation of example, directly engage by the control appliance of the machine of Reference numeral 9 expression as a whole with 8.Door 8 is installed on the main body 4 by a plurality of hinge means 10, specifically shown in Fig. 2 and 5.

Referring again to Fig. 1,2 and 5, the whole expression of Reference numeral 11 preferably but be not the washtub of the washing machine that must be made by molded plastic material.Washtub 11 comprises the outlet 11a among the perisporium 11b that is formed on washtub self in its bottom.The main body of washtub 11 is made of two relative sidewalls that 11c represents, has hub 11d on each sidewall, and the hub that is supported by above-mentioned two side is positioned on the coaxial position.Be valuably, above-mentioned hub 11d has metal standing part separately, and it inserts in the plastic material that constitutes washtub at least in part.As concrete expression in Fig. 1 and 5, the top inlet that perisporium 11b and sidewall 11c are shaped and are arranged to that washtub 11 is had and are represented by 11e.

Washtub 11 supports by two vibrationproof pin in the bottom, and in them is shown in Figure 2, by Reference numeral 12 expressions.The vibrationproof pin extends on the opposite side of washtub 11 bottom sections and is connected with base plate 3 in the bottom.At the top of washtub 11,11 of washtubs are by preferably including the restriction that helical spring elastic component (not shown) is subjected to main body 4.

In addition, can see that in Fig. 2 it is provided with corresponding rotating shaft 13a by the motor of 13 expressions, and by 14 washing pumps of representing.Member 13 is not connected with waterpower with 14 electric power and illustrates, and does not equally illustrate understanding other internals that the present invention is not the described machine of particular importance yet.

The cylinder that is used for clothing of machine 1 is as a whole by 20 expressions, it has the primary circle barrel shape and can rotate by the axis around the basic horizontal of being represented by A in washtub, described axis passes two hub 11b, is horizontal with respect to vertical plane all under any circumstance perhaps; Axis A can have certain inclination thus.

Cylinder 20 comprises periphery 20a and two end face 20b.In preferred embodiments, cylinder 20 is so-called " mixing " types, that is, periphery 20a is made by stainless steel, and two end face 20b are made by molded plastic material.In the situation of example, cylinder 20 comprises the single member of being represented by 20c that is used to drive clothing, and it has the function of being convenient to mix clothing during the cylinder rotation in cylinder 20.Drive that the distortion of member 20c by a part of periphery 20a obtains and form by the V-type recess that has towards the summit of cylinder 20 inside substantially.Described recess extends through the whole width of periphery 20a and ends in the appropriate section of wall 20b at two longitudinal ends separately.Cylinder 20 further is provided with corresponding hatch, and they only schematically illustrate and by 21 expressions, it has self known type, and comprise at least one and the hinged removable closing cap of periphery 20a.

According to main aspect of the present invention, cylinder 20 is installed movably with respect to washtub, so that can be as example and down position shown in Figure 1 and moving between the raised position shown in figure 2.In this way, at down position, the geometrical axis of cylinder 20 is basic consistent with axis A, and simultaneously, in raised position, the geometrical axis of cylinder 20 is basically parallel to axis A.

In this embodiment as example, in order to realize described mobile possibility, machine 1 is equipped with the framework that is used for back-up roller 20, and described framework adopts the mode that can rotate in washtub 11 to install so that rotate around axis A.

Shown in concrete in Fig. 3 and 4, the said frame by 22 expressions comprises two vertical members 23 and cross member 24 substantially as a whole, is preferably made by stainless steel.Cross member 24 extends between two vertical member 23 ends separately and has a mating component 24a, and mating component 24a is outstanding and at least a portion length that longitudinal extension passes cross member self on the direction of cylinder 20.Described mating component 24a preferably has and the exterior contour of the in-profile complementation of the drive member 20c of cylinder 20 (therefore basic be V-arrangement), and is for example directly formed by the moulding of cross member 24.

Two vertical members 23 have and are approximately equal to or slightly greater than the longitudinal extension amount of cylinder 20 diameters, and each vertical member has separately rotating dog or axle at zone line, can represent as seen from Figure 3 and by 25a for one in them.Each pin 25 is positioned the core of each vertical member 23 in known manner, and described known mode comprises flange 25a or the analog that for example is screwed.

Especially in Fig. 3 and 5 as can be seen, each vertical member 23 has

seat groove

26 and 27 separately, its length that runs through vertical member self is substantially extended and is preferably formed by their moulding.The seat groove 26 of each vertical member 23 provides the rectilinear motion guiding, and its wheel 30 that is designed to and is bonded on each end face 20b of cylinder 20 is worked in coordination.Shown in concrete among Fig. 3, wheel 30 is rotatably installed on the support member 30a that is partially submerged at least in the thermoplastic that forms corresponding end-faces 20b.

27 gas springs that are designed to hold separately of seat groove of each vertical member 23, it is represented by 29 in Fig. 3 as a whole, and is known type.Each spring 29 comprises piston component or rod member 29a and cylinder component 29b.In the situation of example, piston component 29a has an end that is fixed to (but can be cross member 24) on the different vertical part 23, and cylinder component 26b has an end on the connector that is fixed among each the end face 20b that forms and be partly embedded in cylinder 20.Gas spring 29 constitutes the device that slidably connects that is used between framework 22 and the cylinder 20 to be similar to the mode of the system that is formed by guiding piece 26 and wheel 30, and being set at piston component 29 can slide in cylinder component 29b.

Machine of the present invention further is provided with the locking device that can switch between operating position and off-position, so that make cylinder 20 keep locking or cylinder can be moved with respect to framework between above-mentioned down position and raised position with respect to framework.

In the situation of example, locking device comprises the mechanism with two retaining buttons, and it is designed to the opposite points upper process at cylinder, basic edge near each end face 20b.Said mechanism by 31 expressions, comprises the handle 31a that engages with rotating member 31b as a whole.Transmission device engages with described rotating member 31b, described transfer device be used to form above-mentioned retaining be buckled in shown in the figure from the slip between side-prominent position of cylinder two and the not shown retracted position, the retaining button is represented by 31c.The mechanism that is used to form the displacement of retaining button 31c can be known type, for example comprise an end at eccentric position with member 31b is hinged and the other end is detained 31 hinged drive links with keeping off.

In the situation of example, each retaining button 31c is designed to cooperate with Button Block separately in the top cross parts that are formed on each vertical member 23.In Fig. 3, represent for one in the described Button Block by 28.A mated condition in corresponding Button Block 28 among the retaining button 31c for example can be found out in Fig. 4.

Under the situation of said modules assembling, the pin that is used for rotating of vertical member 23 or the axle 25 hub 11d that are connected separately.Belt wheel (not shown) is assemblied on the described pin that protrudes in the bucket outside, and concrete that can find out in Fig. 2 utilizes the described belt wheel of the belt (also not shown) that is fit to receive the motion of transmitting from the axle 13a of drive motors 13.

Substantially be similar to the routine operation of top loading washer as the operation of the machine 1 of conventional washing operation.In situation of the present invention, when cylinder 20 with respect to the corresponding down position of framework 22 (referring to, for example, Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5), cylinder self is completely contained in the bucket 11.Under described state, locked component 31 is in the relevant work position, that is, and and under retaining button 31c is engaged in state in the corresponding Button Block 28 of vertical member 23.It should be noted that in described down position the mating component 24a of the cross member 24 of framework 22 is inserted in the cavity that is formed by drive member 20c.Therefore, can be understood that easily that cylinder 20 radially is held with respect to framework 22 in the opposed area at two.

The motion of motor 13 acts on motion on the pin 25 through above-mentioned belt belt wheel drive system, as shown in Figure 2, and acts on thus on the framework 23.Suppose that under the mutual clamp position between framework 23 and the cylinder 20 assembly of Xing Chenging remains in the bucket and rotates around axis A thus.Carry out conventional washing operation by this way.Specifically from Fig. 5, can notice, slidably jockey 26-30 and 29 be not mirror image be configured on two vertical members 23.Described configuration is considered to preferably consider to make in the process of same wash cycle cylinder to carry out the situation of opposite direction rotation.

When wash cycle finished, the user opened the door 8 of machine, for example shown in Fig. 1 and 5.Thus, the open top 11e of passage 4b that the user can be by main body 4 and washtub 11 obtains to lead to the path of cylinder 20.The assembly that is formed by cylinder 20 and framework 22 can manually be moved in the position shown in Fig. 1 and 5 by the user, and wherein handle 31a is positioned at substantially and is equivalent to the cylinder top dead center position.Therefore it should be noted that in a feasible embodiment that the control system of machine can be adopted in such a way and is provided with, that is, when wash cycle finished, the control motor was used to guide the assembly that is formed by cylinder 20 and framework 22 to enter above-mentioned position automatically.

When position shown in cylinder 20 is positioned at, the user holds handle 31a and makes its motion that produces certain angle, for example about 90 °.By this way, form the rotation of parts 31b, and form described motion of mechanism thus, make retaining button 31c return to retracted position separately.When described motion finished, retaining button 31c was when the corresponding Button Block of vertical member 23 discharges, thereby gas spring 29 is got involved and promoted the motion of cylinders 20 to corresponding raised position, (Fig. 3 only represents the lifting state of cylinder with respect to framework) as shown in Figure 2.Reaction force that it should be noted that gas spring 29 in this preferably only promotes cylinder from the process of down position to raised position, and can not cause the autonomous rising of cylinder 20.In other words, the rising of cylinder 20 means the upwards pulling that under any circumstance utilizes handle to carry out by the user.But because the effect of spring 29, described operation can not allow the user is that part of to bear any very big burden, and just described motion is actually " servo-as to assist ".Under any circumstance, the power of spring 29 will make cylinder remain on raised position.

Cylinder 20 is guided and is guaranteed by free-moving wheel 30 in the guiding piece separately 26 of each vertical member 23 with respect to the rolling of framework 22.As top illustrated, the member of two gas springs 29 itself, that is, piston component 29a and corresponding cylinder component 29b have constituted the jockey slidably in himself of between cylinder 20 and framework 22 guiding.

In graphic non-limiting example, the larger side of washtub 11 opening 11e slightly is longer than the diameter of the end face 20b of cylinder 20, and the smaller side of opening 11e slightly is longer than the degree of depth of cylinder 20.Similar consideration aspect cross sectional dimensions is applied among the passage 4b of top bodies 4.By this way, in raised position, cylinder 20 can be respectively be projected into the outside of washtub 11 and casing 2 fully by opening 11e with by passage 4b, and example as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Be understandable that in raised position, the side by cylinder 20 stops the almost entire portion that occupies above-mentioned opening 11e and passage 4b just, prevent that cylinder 20 and framework 22 from carrying out any big vibration.Be also noted that, in the lifting state, the relative position of cylinder and framework is that the hatch with capping 21 is in from the vantage point of ergonomics angle, preferably is not in the position corresponding to the top dead of cylinder, but in the face of the side in the machine smaller side.

Cylinder 20 is when the position of Fig. 2, and the user can open hatch 21 and take out clothing from cylinder self.

After the clothing that unloading has been washed, maybe may be after loading other laundry item, can close hatch door 21 again.At this moment, the user must exert oneself to promote cylinder 20 downwards so that overcome the reaction force of gas spring 29.As mentioned above, described spring 29 has limited power, and reducing operation does not thus need special effort.By described motion, wheel 30 moves in guiding piece 26 separately, and piston component 29a moves in cylinder component 29b separately.

When descending stroke finishes, the user with aforementioned opposite direction rotary handle 31a, that is, rotate to the position shown in each figure.By described motion, braking element 31c is coupled in the Button Block separately 28 of vertical member once more.Certainly, after and then descending, the mating component 24a of the cross member 24 of framework 22 inserts in the cavity that is limited by drive member 20c once more.Cylinder 20 returns to the state with framework 22 clampings then, is in the position that is similar among Fig. 1.The top doors 9 of machine can be closed again then, and if necessary, can begin new wash cycle.

According to the above description, the features and advantages of the present invention are clear and definite, and described feature and advantage are that mainly described machine can be by the remarkable improvement of simple and cheap device in the ergonomics of the operating aspect realization machine of cylinder load/unload clothing.Especially, be understandable that,, can carry out described operation, and not need the user to bend, yet this is necessary in the machine that load at known top to machine casing and cylinder inboard by the present invention.

It should be noted that equally that in machine 1 of the present invention the possible replacing of cylinder 20 is very convenient.

Certainly, being used for the device that is slidingly connected between cylinder and corresponding support frame can be shaped to and be different from foregoing example.Being designed for assisting the actuating device of cylinder lifter motion also can be to be different from described structure of example and type.For example it is pointed out that, can on the same end face 20b of cylinder 20, a plurality of parallel trains 30 be set, and give the motion guidance spare 26 that respective numbers is set towards the vertical member 23 of described end face.In principle, do not get rid of the possibility of guide member engagement on the vertical member that is bonded on the cylinder end face and with corresponding wheel separately.

In a kind of preferred form, mechanism 31 comprises the safety device that is used for mechanism self is remained on the corresponding work state.Described device can comprise elastic component simply, can operate to be used for forcing consistently braking element 31c to separately extrusion position.In this way, break away from from framework 22 in order to make cylinder 20, necessary rotary handle 31a is enough to make retaining button 31c to break away from the degree of Button Block 28 in order to overcome the effect of described elastic component, must to rotate to.After described disengaging,, keep off the extrusion position that returns under the effect that is buckled in above-mentioned elastic device separately equally by release lever 31a.On the other hand, the jag of retaining button 31c and the zone that is provided with Button Block 28 moulding easily of corresponding vertical member 23, so that realize the cooperation of the interlocking between cylinder 20 and the framework 22, in fact it can take place when the cylinder descending motion finishes, and do not need flexible handle 31a.In described perspective view, the jag of retaining button 31c can be shaped to clinoplain or cammed surfaces, the snap close of for example any spring-operated lock.

Certainly, under the situation that does not depart from the principle of the invention, with respect in this content of describing and illustrating by non-limiting example fully, the details of structure and embodiment can change widely, does not break away from thus by the scope of the present invention that claim limited of enclosing.

Claims

1. one kind is used to wash and/or machine is loaded at the top of drying clothes, comprise the cylinder (20) and the washtub (11) that are used for accommodating laundry, cylinder (20) can rotate according to basic horizontal axis (A) in washtub (11) inside, it is characterized in that, cylinder (20) is installed is made it can and be used at the down position that is used for machine (1) work moving between the raised position of load/unload clothing.

2. machine as claimed in claim 1, comprise the framework (22) that is used to support described cylinder (20), described framework (22) can rotate around described axis (A) in washtub (11), and described cylinder (20) can optionally be gone up between described down position and described raised position mobile at framework (22) on respect to the horizontal substantially direction of described axis (A).

3. machine as claimed in claim 2 further comprises the locking device (31 that can switch between operating position and off-position; 20c, 24a), wherein, in the operating position, described locking device (31; 20c 24a) remains on cylinder fixed position with respect to described framework (22), and in off-position, locking device (31; 20c, 24a) make cylinder (20) can on the framework (22) described dip and described raised position between move.

4. machine as claimed in claim 2, its intermediate roll (20) at framework (22) thus on be directed and can on the direction vertical substantially, move with respect to described axis (A).

5. machine as claimed in claim 2, its intermediate roll (20) has periphery (20a) and two opposing end surfaces (20b), wherein said framework (22) comprises the vertical member (23) towards a described end face (20b), described vertical member (23) passes through accordingly slidably jockey (26,30,29a 29b) is limited on the cylinder (20).

6. machine as claimed in claim 5, its middle frame (22) comprises another vertical member (23) towards another described end face (20b), and described another vertical member (23) passes through accordingly slidably jockey (26,30,29a 29b) is limited on the cylinder (20).

7. machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein said framework (22) comprise at least one cross member towards described periphery (20a) (24).

8. as claim 6 and 7 described machines, wherein said cross member (24) is at the longitudinal extension between the end regions separately of two vertical members (23), and described vertical member (23) is parallel to each other substantially and vertical with respect to described cross member (24).

9. machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein switchable locking device (31; 20c, 24a) comprise mechanism with at least one retaining button parts (31c) (31b, 31c).

10. as claim 6 and 9 described machines, wherein said (the 31b of mechanism, 31c) comprise at least two retaining button parts (31c), each described retaining is buckled parts can be in extrusion position and retracted position with respect to each end face (20b) of cylinder (20), in extrusion position, each retaining button parts (31c) can be engaged in the corresponding Button Block (28) of corresponding vertical member (23) of framework (22).

11. as at least one described machine in the above-mentioned claim, wherein switchable locking device (31; 20c 24a) comprises at least one manual activation device (31a), for example handle.

12. machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein switchable locking device (31; 20c, 24a) comprise in described framework (22) and the described cylinder (20) at least one recess (20c) of one and described framework (24) and the described cylinder (20) another ledge (24a), when cylinder was positioned at down position, ledge (24a) cooperated with described recess (20c).

13. as claim 7 and 12 described machines, wherein said recess is at least in part by the component limit that is used to drive clothing (20c) that is formed in the described periphery at least a portion of cylinder (20), described projecting part (24a) is formed on, or be engaged in, in the described cross member (24) of framework (22), described recess and ledge have profile complimentary to one another substantially.

14. machine as claimed in claim 1 further comprises operating being used to promote the actuator devices (29) that cylinder (20) moves to raised position from down position.

15. as claim 5 and/or the described machine of claim 6, wherein said vertical member (23) longitudinal extension and therebetween the zone have the pin (25) that matches with boss assembly (11d), described boss assembly is preferably supported by the respective side walls (11c) of washtub (11).

16. as claim 5 and/or the described machine of claim 6, wherein slidably jockey (26,30,29a 29b) comprises at least one guiding piece (26) of longitudinal extension and the tourelle (30) that matches with described guiding piece (26).

17. machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein tourelle comprises one or more wheels (30), and it has the respective support device (30a) of the plastic material that is partially submerged into the end face (20b) that forms cylinder (20).

18. as claim 5 and/or the described machine of claim 6, wherein slidably jockey (26,30,29a, 29b) comprise piston component (29a) and form the cylinder component (29b) of segment fluid flow actuator (29), described fluid actuator (29) is gas spring especially.

19. machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in described raised position, cylinder (20) is outstanding on the outside of washtub (11) at least in part, the open top (11a) of passing washtub self.